The patent document describes a Trousers Support or Stretcher invented by Archia L. Ross of Port Chester, New York.
The patent number is 638,068, and it was granted on November 28, 1899.
Purpose of the Invention
The main object is to provide a new and improved trousers-support designed for use in wardrobes, cabinets, closets, and similar structures. The device is designed to:
- Properly support and stretch trousers.
- Contain a large number of trousers in a comparatively small space.
- Allow for convenient access to easily remove any desired pair.
Key Components and Operation
The device works by suspending trousers from their waistbands across two parallel bars, allowing gravity to provide the stretching force.
The Structure and Supports
- The device is mounted within a supporting structure (B), illustrated as a cabinet with a hinged cover (C) and curtains (D).
- It utilizes two transverse parallel supports (A, A’) fastened within the cabinet.
- The supports (A, A’) are preferably L-shaped in cross-section where the bars are attached, featuring a cut-out portion to “readily admit the buttons of the trousers.”
- The supports (A, A’) are intentionally arranged at different levels to create the desired hang and stretching tension on the trousers.
The Stretching Bars (E)
- Bars (E) are secured to the opposite faces of the supports (A, A’).
- Each bar is formed of a single piece of wire bent into loops.
- Upwardly-Extending Loops (E’): These loops are arranged in pairs and are designed to receive a pair of buttons on the trousers’ waistband. One pair of loops holds the buttons on one side of the trousers, and the opposite set of loops on the other support holds the buttons on the other side.
- Downwardly-Extending Loops (E²): These loops alternate with the upward loops. Their lower bends are secured to the inner face of the supports (A or A’) by a staple (E³) or similar means, which fastens the bars to the supports.
Operation
A pair of trousers is folded and then suspended by their waistband buttons:
- A pair of buttons on one side of the waistband is hung in the loops (E’) of one bar (e.g., on support A).
- A pair of buttons on the opposite side of the waistband is hung in the corresponding loops of the other bar (on support A’).
This suspension method stretches the trousers throughout their width and allows them to freely hang down in the cabinet, retaining their shape. The support (A’) may also include hooks (F) for holding other articles.
